Philemon 1:13 Explained in Context

Verse 8. ⁸ Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,

Verse 9. ⁹ Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

Verse 10. ¹⁰ I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:

Verse 11. ¹¹ Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:

Verse 12. ¹² Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:

Verse 13. ¹³ Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:

Verse 14. ¹⁴ But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.

Verse 15. ¹⁵ For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;

Verse 16. ¹⁶ Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?